Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic

Parent Rating Scale

 

Each rating should be considered in the context of what is appropriate for the age of your child.

 

Frequency code:     0=Never     1=Occasionally     2=Often     3=Very Often

 

  1. Does not pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes, for example homework.                     0            1          2          3
  2. Has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks or activities.      0        1        2       3
  3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.           0       1        2       3
  4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand)    0       1        2       3
  5. Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities                   0       1        2       3
  6. Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort                       0    1    2    3
  7. Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (school assignments, pencils or books)                 0    1    2    3
  8. Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli     0    1    2    3
  9. Is forgetful in daily activities    0    1    2    3
  10. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat     0    1    2    3
  11. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expected    0    1    2    3
  12. Runs about or climbs excessively in situations when remaining seated is expected    0    1    2    3
  13. Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure/play activities quietly   

0    1    2   3

  1. Is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”    0    1    2    3
  2. Talks too much    0    1    2    3   
  3. Blurts out answers before questions are completed    0     1    2    3
  4. Has difficulty waiting his/her turn    0    1    2    3
  5. Interrupts or intrudes on others (butts into conversations or games)

0    1    2    3

  1. Argues with adults    0    1     2    3  
  2. Loses temper            0    1    2     3
  3. Actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules

0    1    2    3

  1. Deliberately annoys people    0    1    2    3
  2. Blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviors    0    1    2    3
  3. Is touchy or easily annoyed by others      0    1    2    3
  4. Is angry or resentful               0    1    2    3
  5. Is spiteful and vindictive     0    1    2    3
  6. Bullies, threatens or intimidates others    0    1    2    3
  7. Initiates physical fights    0    1     2    3
  8. Lies to obtain goods for favors or to avoid obligations    0    1    2    3
  9. Is truant from school (skips school) without permission  0    1    2    3
  10. Is physically cruel to people                0    1    2    3
  11. Has stolen items of nontrivial value             0    1    2    3
  12. Deliberately destroys others’ property         0    1    2    3
  13. Has used a weapon that can cause serious harm (bat, knife, brick, gun)

0    1    2    3

  1. Is physically cruel to animals    0    1    2    3
  2. Has deliberately set fires to cause damage    0    1    2     3
  3. Has broken into someone else’ s home business or car               

     0    1    2    3

  1. Has stayed out at night without permission            0    1    2    3
  2. Has run away from home overnight 0    1    2    3
  3. Has forced someone into sexual activity    0    1    2    3
  4. Is fearful, anxious, or worried           0    1    2    3
  5. Is afraid to try new things for fear of making mistakes      0    1    2    3
  6. Feels worthless or inferior    0    1    2    3
  7. Blames self for problems, feels guilty         0    1    2    3
  8. Feels lonely, unwanted, or unloved: complains that “no one loves him/her”

0    1    2    3

  1. Is sad, unhappy or depressed         0    1    2    3
  2. Is self-conscious or easily embarrassed    0    1    2    3

 

PERFORMANCE

 

                                                                      Problematic      Average    Above Average  

1. Overall Academic Performance              1          2          3          4          5

    a.  Reading                                                1          2          3          4          5

    b.  Mathematics                                         1          2          3          4          5

    c.  Written Expression                              1          2          3          4          5

 

2. Overall Classroom Behavior                   1          2          3          4          5

    a.  Relationship with peers                       1          2          3          4          5

    b.  Following Directions/Rules                 1          2          3          4          5

    c.  Disrupting Class                                  1          2          3          4          5

    d.  Assignment Completion                     1          2          3          4          5

    e.  Organizational Skills                            1          2          3          4          5

 

Scoring Instructions

Predominately inattentive ADHD subtype requires 6 to 9 behaviors ( scores of 2 or 3 are positive) on items 1 through 9 and a performance problem ( scores of 1 or 2 ) in any of the items on the performance section.

 

Predominately hyperactive/impulsive ADHD subtype requires 6 to 9 behaviors (scores of 2 or 3 are positive) on items 10 through 18 and a problem (scores of 1 or 2) in any of the items on the performance section.

Combined ADHD subtype requires the above criteria on both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity

 

Oppositional-defiant disorder is screened by 4 of 8 behaviors, (scores of 2 or 3 are positive) (27 through 40)

 

Anxiety or depression are screened by behaviors 41 through 47, scores of 3 of 7 are required, (scores of 2 or 3 are positive)